Thumb's Story

Thumb squealed as the bus pulled up to Nimbasa City, awakening Tommelise. She grabbed her pack, following the excited pokemon off of the bus and into the city. Wow!

They both marveled for a moment at the skyline. They had seen pictures, but it was sure impressive in person.

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Castelia Back Alley

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Tommelise grabbed up Thumb and raced outside, following many others who had ditched shopping to spectate whatever was going on out there. Crowds were beginning to gather, looking up at the sky. What...were those?!

Thumb squealed and Tommelise clung him closer. She backed closer to the building. Was it a mistake to come to the big city? How was she going to become a Ruulan-famed fashion designer if...if there was no Ruula left! Her brow furrowed as she took another couple of steps back, nearly bumping into a couple of others who had taken up in the shadows of an alley.

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Skyarrow Bridge

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Giselle had herself become one of those on the outskirts of the trainers who had orders and knew what they were doing. Like many other UPL citizens, she scattered to find a way to be useful in what was clearly an attack. There in the center of some of the chaos was someone barking orders into a Xtransciever.

Eager for a winning fight, Giselle held onto her hat and marched up to Touko. Behind her Lacilee the Butterfree kept a close distance. Giselle waited for the right moment, puffed out her chest, and asked Touko, "Where can we help!"

James heard the cry of a familiar Pokemon and turned to look and saw the girl holding the startled Chikorita. He put a finger to his lips and motioned her to run. Shirona used her telepathy to speak with the girl and Chikorita at the same time.

"It would be best if you stayed quiet and left as soon as possible. This group is very hostile. Your safety should be your top priority. There is no telling when they will strike out."

Thumb grew hushed with a final peep, and Tommelise's eyes grew round. She looked up and down the street, then down the alley, wondering where the safest route to run would even be. Back into the store?

"Where's safest?! Is anywhere safe?" Tommelise asked James, her eyes darting back and forth between him and the sky as Thumb nuzzled into her.

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Giselle had fallen into line with numerous other trainers, at the ready as a form of backup and support. Fuzzo perched delicately on her pink backpack, great wings extending out on either side of her and front pawsies resting on her hat. Today she sported a pink felt cloche hat to match the rest of her ensemble.

"Head south of here. You'll find help."

James motioned towards the shore. It was the best option for her considering it was littered with UPL trainers. She'll be in good hands there. He just hoped nobody noticed the screaming Chikorita, otherwise... Things may get messy.

Seeing Allen's boastful challenge of his own, Mikhayu leaped off the Steelix and rallied several soldiers around the child.

Very well, Trainer! See your foolishness in action!

The girl was clearly shrouded in a shadowy aura as she gave an order to the other Trainers under her command, as well as their Pokemon.

All of you! Spread out! Do not fight non-combatants; take them captive instead! Fight whoever resists with attacks of their own! You have permission to faint everything that dares contest you!

The timid child from early seemed to have faded with the shadowy aura's emergence. She hovered just inches off the ground as she took a powerful stance before Allen, fully ready to engage him.

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Allen is challenged by NRE Commandant Mikhayu!

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She launched a Poke Ball from her belt with shadowy energy, the ball hurtling forward in a straight line before her at fastball speeds, as if thrown by a world-class baseball pitcher.

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NRE Commandant Mikhayu sent out Mimikyu! |000---|

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The small creature looked up at the Tyrantrum before it and seemed ready to fight as it let out several unsettling noises. A shadowy aura flared around it with intensity.

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Several of the Trainers wearing armor engaged the soldiers with their Pokemon at their side. With the armor and the weapons proving to be a good match for the guns brought forth by the UPL forces, the shadow infused equipment seemed to pose a significant threat. Even the arrows fired by the Trainers with bows were able to turn UPL Trainers into pincushions relatively easily. Of course, several NRE Trainers also were taken down by actual gunshots. Over several minutes, the fighting had spread down the streets and to the docks, creating a dangerous warzone everywhere one looked. Touko and James would both be challenged by NRE Trainers relatively frequently, forcing them to have to begin fighting off the Trainers, oftentimes in groups.

Giselle would find herself, and the Trainers with her, approached by a well-dressed man. He looked like a butler of some kind, given his coat and slacks. He adjusted a smooth silk glove as focused his handsome features on Giselle and the Trainers with her. At his side, other NRE personnel would engage with the Trainers that she had with her, leaving the butler to Giselle. At his side, a navy and white bipedal Pokemon with a white face, rounded head, and pear-shaped body stood. It had white hands and feet, each with three digits. It also had downward turned spiral horns, pink markings above its eyes, and a white body with darker legs. It resembled a maid to a tee.

He bowed ever so properly to Giselle, and likewise, the bipedal creature bowed as well.

Mine own apologies in advance, lady of kind. I've not official quarrel with thee, but thou are versus milord's intentions and desires, thus thou must be swiftly aside put with nary a delay.

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Giselle is challenged by NRE Serviteur!

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The butler extended his hand forward to point at Giselle and her Venomoth.

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NRE Serviteur sent out Indeedee! |00----|

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Without a further word, the bipedal creature jumped forward and prepared itself for battle with another bow and an angry expression.

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Shortly after she begins running in James' given directions, Tommelise quickly finds herself blocked by a Trainer who seemed to be her age. The young girl rode a large avian Pokemon resembling a raven. Most of its body was a lustrous black, but its lower beak and legs had a matte color. Its feathers seemed to be tempered with steel, and its mantle, breast, belly, flanks, and scapular feathers were smooth and resembled plate armor. Its talons, head, and upper beak were also similarly armored. It had a crest above its eyes that resembled a crown, and a ruff of feathers on its throat resembled a beard. Its eyes had white pupils, red irises, and black sclerae. As it landed before the fleeing Tommelise, the large avian let out a loud and screeching caw as the Trainer hopped off its back.

Landing solidly, the Trainer strutted forward in her outfit that was similar to a Mega Diancie. The shadow diamond mail cuirass was worn over a sleeved blouse, along with a miniskirt designed in emulation of Mega Diancie's "dress", opera gloves, a morion helmet, and thigh-high heeled boots with a modest heel. Despite her appearance, she had a confident smile.

Yo! Are you fleeing already? You don't have to be so skittish there. Don't worry, I won't bite.

The girl giggled.

My name is Lyerre, and I'm going to go ahead and pretend I'm battling you now. See, I have this lance...

She fetched a long polearm from a sheath on the large avian's side.

...and I'm going to use it. Like, really use it, if you get what I'm saying. Then I'll capture you. Okay? You'll be safe during the whole process, and I'll drop you off outside the city, okay? I'm on your side.

She even fetched a Poke Ball as she hopped back onto the large avian.

Don't hold back, girl!

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Tommelise is challenged by NRE Bataille Lyerre!

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The girl tossed the Poke Ball forward as she readied her lance at her side.

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NRE Bataille Lyerre sent out Purrloin! |00----|

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The small cat landed on the ground and stood up, looking cute as they always did. It even mewed as it sized up Tommelise.

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Castelia: Back Alley

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James turns away from Tommelise and watches Allen get surrounded. However, it seems only the cocky leader wants to try him. He was about to head out and go after the other leader when he heard wings flapping overhead. He quickly turned to see Lyerre threatening poor Tommelise. Without a second thought, James moved to stand in front of Tommelise and from his belt sprung Infernape.

"Hey! You go through me first before you start going after the locals! Vasuman! Let's heat things up, Flamethrower!"

The fire type readied itself and let out streams of flame from it's mouth, directed at the Purrloin. James himself kept an eye on Lyerre. She threatened to use that lance, and she wasn't about to stick an innocent civilian, not while he was here.

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Castelia: Fountain Area

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Allen stared down at the Mimikyu and the one controlling it. He wasn't a full idiot, he could tell that there was something off about the both of them, but that's a thinking topic for later. He recognized Mimikyu and immediately had the download on what it was about to dish out. But, surely, Ty could take one little hit. All he needed to do was two turn it. But should he risk Ty right now? It definitely has a Play Rough waiting for him... Whatever, action time!

"Heh, I hope you have something better than just a little puppet. Ty. Crunch."

Allen snapped his fingers and the Tyrantrum moved forward, ready to weather any attack that came. It was determined to sink its teeth into Mimikyu and break that disguise.

Seeing Allen's response, Mikhayu seemed emboldened. She still sounded like a child at least, even with her voice being distorted and unnerving.

Yes, Mimikyu! Show it something better! Play with it! Shadow Frolic to your content!

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Mimikyu used Shadow Frolic!

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The Mimikyu was faster and quickly reacted to the Tyrantrum's announced attack by enshrouding itself in shadows. It then launched toward the Despot Pokemon with astonishing speed and strength before playing roughly with it. Dancing around it, Mimikyu was roughly taking swings and swipes at it with shadowy claws, enshrouded by the shadow energy. Tyrantrum was dealt a super-effective blow as the shadowy energy seared into him from the attack, leaving its mark.

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Tyrantrum used Crunch!

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Then the Crunch attack from Tyrantrum's counterblow. Though it tried its best, the Mimikyu lost its Disguise to the fangs that came down. With a tattered Pikachu costume, the Mimikyu made more gibberish sounds and used another move, remembering Mikhayu's orders.

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Mimikyu used Shadow Frolic!

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Once again, it launched toward the Tyrantrum with speed and strength in measure, attempting to finish off the Despot Pokemon, and faint it. If Tyrantrum was replaced, its replacement would find itself on the business end of the same roughhousing Mimikyu had given the Despot Pokemon. In either case, the attack was sure to land.

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Before Purrloin could even move, it found itself burned to a crisp by the Flamethrower, quickly fainting as Lyerre returned it. Lyerre seemed taken aback and fetched her second Poke Ball.

Yo! You can't interrupt a battle like that!

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NRE Bataille Lyerre sent out Marill! |0X----|

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The spherical blue mouse with a bubble tail emerged, looking cute as expected. It seemed to be a bit frightened of Infernape, despite being a water-type.

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Castelia: Fountain Area

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After the first hit, Allen figured Ty wasn't going to be able to take much more. Better to let him fall so the next throw in goes without penalty. Damn puppet. Making a fool out of him already!

"Tch. Ty, try for an Iron Head."

The Tyrantrum lowered its head and it shined briefly before charging forwards, attempting to barrel through the next attack... only to fail. It took the next Shadow Frolic head on and continued forwards, slamming into the Mimikyu with an steel hardened skull. When it jumped back, it didn't look like it was doing too well.

"Damn fricken puppet. The hell was that move? That's not something I've seen before! Rrr... Ty, you're down to another probably but don't let that stop you! Charge it again!"

With a roar, the Tyrantrum did the same thing and charged once more for another Iron Head, attempting to weather what comes again for a final strike.

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Castelia: Back Alley

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"Sorry, but when you go around talking about using your weapons on innocent people, you can't expect me to sit and watch. I'm sorry for this but, Vasuman, Poison Jab."

The Infernape looked at the Marill apologetically before slamming its fist into the little guy's gut.

"Where did that other girl go? The shy one."

With Marill fainting, Lyerre took back to her Corviknight and retreated, merely shouting back that'd she'd get revenge one day. This left Tommelise safe for now, and no doubt some minor relief for James. Likewise, Giselle had the Butler retreating as well. With two of the Trainers gone, it seemed that the UPL was gaining advantages elsewhere as well, leading to a pushback that was far quicker and easier than likely anticipated.

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Allan's Tyrantrum would be an easy takedown for the Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokemon seeming proud of itself as it's shadowy aura flared and became visible for a moment. Mikhayu seemed emboldened by the display as well.

Will you continue to resist? You can't win!

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Marcosha was also engaged upon by several Trainers, most of who she was able to defeat, though it was clear even she and her Steelix were at a disadvantage. As she jumped to the side in what seemed to be a heated battle with other Trainers, her Steelix roared and attempted to drill its way through its opposition, missing its attack against a speedy Samurott that responded with a flurry of Razor Shell attacks. As this occurred, several more NRE Trainers were forced to retreat from fights as the UPL forces, with their superior firepower and stronger Pokemon, began taking control of the battles.

...Welp. It was finally time to figure out what all this noise was. It sounded like a battle. Either that or some kind of ...jank music festival. He wasn't sure. Out of a building, an android boy with a skateboard under one arm and a soda in the other emerged at a pace woefully inappropriate for the combat going on. He took a few steps out into the street like it was just any other day, moving to sip at his drink. As he did this, a steelix flew past his vision in the process of an attack. His attention sorta drifted toward it and then where it came from, catching sight of Marcosha. His glowing golden eyes locked onto her for a gooood long moment as he realized...

...Hey. Something's a little fucky about this scene.

This doesn't look like any battle imprinted in his memory at all. In fact, it didn't look like anything at all. This android, for all the knowledge it was imprinted with, had no concept of a war. He had no concept of what he was looking at, what he was supposed to do, whether he was staring at a friend or a foe, whether he was even in danger. So as he stood there, he began to 'malfunction' a little, beginning to nervously sip at his drink in a compulsory fashion as he looked around, trying and failing to process what it was he was observing with his eyes. What it was he was hearing. What he ought to do. The android's programming had basically hung, leaving him standing there in the street looking a bit clueless or perhaps insane, depending on how one psychoanalyzed a dude standing there nonchalantly while combat went on around him.

Emiko Touko couldn't believe it. Her side was...winning? "I guess that's what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket! Melaine may be amazingly strong, but everyone else is a PUSH OVER! Fire teams, move up, they're just about to break!" Then something came on the monitor in one of the Nacrene warehouses where she had set up her command post, getting a good view of the action as well as directing logistical traffic and protecting the east end of the Skyarrow Bridge from a surprise attack. "Wait, no, not the fact that they're flying in using super strong birds, I can get Skyla to worry about that. I'm talking about the dude by the ice cream shop, he's way too calm about this. Get a team over there, assume hostile. I want him alive."

Stay calm, Touko. It's just like a normal battle. You've got this, she repeated to herself, one hand on her chest as she rode the edge between exhilaration and over-stimulation.

Allen watched as Ty stumbled from the latest attack and recalled him. Outwardly, he didn't look bothered, but inside he was a quite peeved. The hell was this new shit?

"Resist? I ain't resisting nothing, kid. YOU are standing in MY way! So I'll make quick work of your own stupidity for challenging me! Flo! Do it right! Burn this puppet alive with your breath!"

Allen tosses another ball and out comes a rather mean looking Typhlosion. Upon exiting it would ready for a flamethrower and shoot it as soon as possible.

Allen began to think to himself about what other tricks this chick may have. "This Mimikyu is no joke. Normally Ty can take a Mimikyu... This one is hopped up on some crazy shit. What's with that darkness too? Whatever. That puppet is toast."

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James, having finished helping the defenseless girl, lets out Asuka and takes to the skies, searching for anyone in trouble and of need. His movements would be visible as he was above the city. Not that it mattered to him. The steel birds weren't going to stop Asuka, she can out-fly a hunk of metal any day. Shirona, who was sitting behind James speaks up.

"James, over there! The building with smashed windows on the first floor! That Steelix is there!"

"I see it! Asuka, take us there! Where it is, is likely that other Commander. I know I saw two, and Allen has one. This one is not getting away!"

Unfortunately for James, Marcosha and her Steelix managed to escape back into the portal, shortly before being overwhelmed by further UPL forces. Seeing Marcosha retreat, Mikhayu then recalled her Mimikyu, sparing it Typhlosion's wrath. She too returned to the portal as the NRE forces begun a full-scale retreat. Throughout Castelia, especially once Burgh, James, and other top-level Trainers began participating, the NRE forces were on full backpedal as they lost multiple battles back to back.

This did leave the option open of the portal itself. It seemed to be a two-way thing given the forces mostly retreated back through it if they could not simply fly back over the ocean themselves. That left the ability to travel straight to the source a very valid strategy if it was taken quickly. The Braixen managing the portal began preparations to close it once the NRE forces got through.

Emiko Touko was positively giddy, watching the glorious sight of victory unfold! "Burgh. They're retreating. Mop up any stragglers, take captives if you can. James, grab Allen, you two are with me. I'm going in after them. We have a chance to end this war right here before more people get killed."

Wren's ears perked up at the comment, causing him to turn around from the path he was walking. What was this war the stranger was talking about?

Ahem, excuse me. What did you just say?

he inquired, lifting his hand to his chin in puzzled repose.

Touko skidded to a stop on the bridge as some random citizen asked her about some sort of war going on.

"Wherever you've been, you'd better get back there. Some Diancie went all power trippy and established her own freaking Diamond Domain right over in the harbor there, and recently declared war on us. If you're a strong Trainer that can take out the Shadow Obelisks that have popped up and are juicing her up to where not even I'm a match for her, that's great, but for now I have holdouts to mop up and capture. I'm trying to rendezvous with a couple of my friends so we can strike at the enemy territory, so with all respect..."

And then she just gave Wren a hip check out of her way before continuing to the Castelia pier to meet up with James and Allen.

"Ah, James, it's been a while. Good to see you've been well. Who's your friend and why does he look like he wants to battle me? We do not have time for this, we can't just let the NRE retreat to lick their wounds and prepare for the next attack. I managed to catch them by surprise this time by having the troops use guns in addition to their Pokémon, but they won't fall for that again."

Wren Harrington stood in surprise, stunned by the sudden interposition. Not quite an experienced trainer just yet, he stepped back a bit as the commotion unfolded.

Yes! Well, thank you ma'am!

he stammered, unsure of which direction to go. Looking eastward, he turned on his heel and shouted over his shoulder,

Thanks for the tip! I'll be back soon!

came his echoing response before he disappeared off into the wilderness.